Budget LCD TVs

LCD TVs with conventional backlights deliver good performance and great value

While LCD TVs with LED backlights come out on top in most professional reviews, LCD TVs with conventional CCFL backlights still earn their fair share of respect from experts and users. These are excellent alternatives for those looking for good performance -- sometimes even better than certain LED back-lit TVs -- at a more modest price.

Vizio E3D0VX: 3D for the masses?

Among the more interesting conventional LCD TVs to debut thus far this year is the Vizio E3D0VX series of 3D HDTVs. Like the LG LW5600 LED backlit TVs profiled in this report, these TVs use a passive 3D system that offers distinct advantages -- lower cost, higher screen brightness, cheap and lightweight glasses -- and disadvantages -- reduced resolution -- compared to active-shutter technology. The result is a TV that brings 3D down to a much more accessible cost for mass adoption, with prices starting at less than $500 for a 32-inch screen size.

Professional and user feedback so far indicate that value is terrific and picture quality is at least very good. Given that this TV uses a CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) backlight, it should come as no surprise that while black levels aren't bad, they don't approach those of better LED backlit TVs, let alone plasma models. In his review of the Vizio E3D470VX (*Est. $800) , Andrew Robinson at HomeTheaterReview.com writes, "Black levels are deep, not class leading but solid with tremendous detail and texture throughout." Robinson reports that colors are generally solid, but it took some work on his part to get them that way. Uniformity is not top shelf, unfortunately.  "Highlights in the image, especially near the edges of the screen, showcased the E3D420VX's lack of backlight uniformity resulting in a subtle vignette effect," Robinson says in his review of the 42-inch member of this series (*Est. $630) .

That Robinson was the first professional reviewer to report on these 3D sets is odd because he minces no words when he describes how much he dislikes 3D, both on the big screen and the home screen. With that bias clearly in mind, he says that of all the sets he's demoed, these Vizio sets' "use of the technology is the most pleasing I've encountered outside of a movie theater -- no doubt the result of the two taking the same passive approach." He provides a helpful comparison with LG's LW5600 series of passive 3D TVs and says while those provide superb 2D performance, these Vizio TVs have a leg up when it comes to 3D.

The Vizio E3D0VX series has more tricks up its sleeve than just 3D. It includes Vizio's VIA (Vizio Internet App) platform that grants access to lots of streaming content. On the video side, you'll find access to Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Blockbuster on Demand, Vudu and more. Audio partners include Pandora and Rhapsody. There are lots of other apps, including Fandango, which helps you find movies at local theaters so that you don't become totally couch-bound. Wi-Fi is built in. If you also want to stream content from your PC, look elsewhere because the E3D0VX is not DLNA compliant, though it will play back music and display photos on an attached USB thumb drive. The remote to control all of this includes a full QWERTY keyboard on its reverse side. However, Robinson laments its quality, saying it "sadly is a piece of junk."

Samsung LND550: Good picture, features and value

Samsung's conventionally backlit LCD TVs don't have the bells and whistles of the company's technologically loaded LED sets. However, image quality is generally considered very good, especially considering these sets' relative value.

A case in point is the Samsung LND550 series. The 32-inch LN32D550 (*Est. $480) scores a Recommended status in one comparative review, while the 46-inch LN46D550 (*Est. $800) is called "a solid HDTV for many purposes" by TelevisionInfo.com, a notoriously tough reviewer.

Picture quality draws some nice compliments. While the uniformity of some of Samsung's LED sets has been roundly criticized, TelevisionInfo.com says that on the conventionally backlit LN46D550 it is quite good. The site also notes that black levels measure as being quite deep, but it adds a strong disclaimer that the TV's nondefeatable dynamic backlight -- which raises and lowers backlight illumination based on image content -- makes it impossible to get a true reading. The site also groused about this feature in last year's Samsung LCD TVs, but says that at least it works better this year as it reacts faster to on-screen changes. Color performance is strong, though whether color accuracy is excellent or merely acceptable is in the eyes of the reviewer. Signal processing also draws differing conclusions, with TelevisionInfo.com finding some flaws, particularly with fast motion, but others having no complaints. One area where there's no disagreement is that the viewing angle is on the disappointing side.

The feature set is not as rich as with some TVs, but it does include some niceties. The LND550 can't stream content directly from the Internet, but it is DLNA compliant, so it can stream content from your PC or other DLNA device. There's also a USB port for playing files locally from an attached thumb drive. File-format support is fairly broad, and the user interface is more elegant and friendly than that on many other similarly capable TVs. Wi-Fi is supported, but you'll need to pay extra for Samsung's Wi-Fi radio (*Est. $80) if you want to stream content and don't have an Ethernet port convenient to your TV. Resolution is 1080p, but the refresh rate is only 60 Hz. There are no 3D features.

Other screen sizes in the series include the 37-inch LN37D550 (*Est. $585) and the 40-inch LN40D550 (*Est. $600) .

Sony KDL-BX420 LCD TVs: Great picture but few features

Sony's KDL-BX420 series offers midrange LCD TVs that emphasize performance over hot-button features. You won't find an LED backlight let alone 3D or access to Internet features, and like the Samsung TV above, the refresh rate is only 60 Hz.

Where these TVs excel, however, is in the picture they deliver, with one professional reviewer marveling over black levels that are deep for any set -- even those using plasma technology -- let alone a value-oriented LCD TV. TelevisionInfo.com adds that while uniformity isn't quite as good as the Samsung LND550 above, problems at least aren't glaring. Color performance is another strong point.

While picture performance is strong, the KDL-BX420 has few extras. Even connectivity is paltry relative to similarly priced sets with just two HDMI inputs. As noted, there's no Internet connectivity and no DLNA support, so streaming from your PC is not an option. There is a USB port for playing local files from a USB drive, but file-format support is very limited.

TelevisionInfo.com directly compares the 46-inch KDL-46BX420 (*Est. $700) and the 46-inch Samsung LN46D550 and says that the trade-offs are clear. The Sony set gets the edge when it comes to overall picture quality, while the Samsung offering, though not exactly feature-rich, has more goodies along with better connectivity

Other sets in the series include the 32-inch KDL-32BX420 (*Est. $450) and 40-inch KDL-40BX420 (*Est. $585) .

RCA 46LA45RQ: A budget buy

At one time, RCA was counted among the top consumer electronics manufacturers in the U.S. Those days are now long gone, but the RCA brand continues to be licensed to other companies for various products, including ON Corp. (since last year) for the marketing of TVs.

While no professional reviewers have looked at the set -- at least none that we could find -- owners posting at sites like BestBuy.com and Walmart.com have heaped praise on the 46-inch RCA 46LA45RQ (*Est. $500) . At BestBuy.com, for example, around 90 percent of the more than 225 users who have left feedback say they would recommend the TV to a friend. At Walmart.com, even more users have posted comments and most report nearly as much satisfaction.

Value, not performance or features, is what earns the RCA 46LA45RQ its compliments. In fact, many owners -- including those posting 4-star and 5-star reviews -- readily admit that the picture quality does not measure up to better sets they have looked at or owned. Others, however, are mostly to completely satisfied with what they see on the screen, especially after some tweaking.

Features, of course, are limited, but connectivity is decent and the set's three HDMI inputs, while not particularly generous, should do the job for all but the most complicated home-theater set-ups. There's a USB input, but that's only for firmware updates if available. Unlike budget sets of the recent past, the resolution is 1080p instead of the lower 720p, though the refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz. Needless to say, 3D and Internet features are not part of the package. If your budget is tighter still and a smaller screen size will suffice, the 42-inch RCA 42LA45RQ (*Est. $450) has similar specifications and similar user feedback.

The bottom line? As long as you aren't overly picky about perfect picture quality or if you just want an inexpensive second set, the RCA 46LA45RQ offers good value.